Vehicle wheel alignment measurement system camera and adas calibration support structure

ABSTRACT

A system and method for aligning a floor target relative to a vehicle, the floor target including a calibration pattern for observation by a vehicle safety system sensor during calibration. The system includes at least one optical projection system consisting of at least one optical projector having an orientable projection axis. The optical projection system is operatively controlled by a processor to orient said projection axis towards a selected location on the floor surface relative to the vehicle, and to activate the optical projected to illuminate a point, a line, or a boundary, against which the floor target is aligned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority from,co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/649,865 filed on Feb. 3,2022, which in turn is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/220,268 filed on Apr. 1, 2021. The '268application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/813,329 filed on Mar. 9, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,996,053, andwhich in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/338,647 filed on Apr. 1, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,634,488. The '647application is the US National Stage under 35 U.S.C. § 371 et. seq. ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2017/053692, filed on Sep. 27, 2017which is related to, and claims priority from, both U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/403,783 filed on Oct. 4, 2016, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/406,659 filed on Oct. 11,2016. Each of the aforementioned applications and patents is hereinincorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application is related to a fixture for facilitating thecalibration and alignment of vehicle safety system sensors, and inparticular, to a movable fixture supporting vehicle wheel alignmentsystem imaging sensors and at least one calibration or alignment targetassociated with a vehicle safety system sensor.

Vehicle wheel measurement systems, such as wheel alignment or inspectionsystems employing machine vision technology, such as cameras observingoptical targets mounted on various surfaces within associated fields ofview are well known in the vehicle measurement, alignment, andinspection industry. Typically, these type of systems employ two or fourcameras, mounted to a crossbeam member on a fixture or structure locatedin front of a vehicle service area. The cameras are oriented such thateach wheel of a vehicle to be inspected (or target mounted thereon)within the service area is visible to at least one of the cameras. Thestructure supporting the camera crossbeam may be fixed in place, or maybe configured to be moved from one service area to another as needed.The camera crossbeam itself may be vertically (and/or rotationally)adjustable to accommodate vehicles at different elevations of a liftrack within the vehicle service. Images acquired by the cameras areconveyed to a wheel alignment processing system configured with suitablesoftware instructions for image evaluation, determining various spatialmeasurements associated with the observed surfaces, and ultimately foridentifying vehicle wheel alignment angles from associated spatialmeasurements.

When it is necessary to realign or recalibrate various vehicle safetysystem sensors, such as radar units or optical sensors typicallyutilized in forward collision avoidance systems or adaptive cruisecontrol systems, specialized structures are precisely positioned infront of the vehicle, often with the aid of a vehicle measurement systemsuch as a wheel alignment or inspection system. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 7,382,913 B2 to Dorrance describes a method and apparatus forguiding placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to a vehicle,based on measurements acquired by a separate vehicle wheel alignmentmeasurement system. Other techniques for guiding placement of aspecialized structure relative to a vehicle undergoing a realignment orrecalibration of a vehicle safety system sensor include the use of laseremitters and leveling devices, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,868B2 to Hopfenmuller.

The particular type and configuration of onboard sensors utilized in thesafety systems of vehicles vary between different vehicle manufacturers,and often, between different models of vehicles from the samemanufacturer. Different types of onboard sensors have differentrealignment or recalibration procedures, and often requiring thespecialized structures to be placed at different locations relative tothe vehicle. In some cases, the placement of the specialized structuresconflicts with the placement or positioning of the fixture or structuresupporting the cameras associated with the vehicle measurement system.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a positionable fixture orsupport structure capable of supporting both the set of camerasassociated with a vehicle measurement system as well as the specializedstructures required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehiclesafety system sensors, thereby reducing the total number of fixturesrequired to complete a vehicle onboard sensor realignment orrecalibration, and eliminating potential spatial conflicts betweensupport structures and specialized structures.

Some specialized structures or optical targets used in the alignment orcalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors cannot be securedto the positionable fixture or support structure. Accordingly, there isa need to provide a system to guide an operator in the proper placementof those specialized support structures or optical targets relative toeither the vehicle undergoing service or to the positionable fixture orsupport structure itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, a first embodiment of the present disclosure sets fortha fixture or support structure having a vertical element supporting aset of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement system togetherwith at least one target structure required for realignment orrecalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A cameracrossbeam carried by the fixture or support structure locates the set ofcameras in a laterally spaced arrangement, as required to view wheels oneach side of a vehicle undergoing measurement, and is optionallyvertically (and/or rotationally) adjustable to accommodate the vehicledisposed at different elevations on an adjustable lift rack. The targetstructure is carried by the vertical element of the support structure,at an elevation suitable for observation by one or more vehicle onboardsensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. To facilitaterequired positioning of the target structure during a realignment orrecalibration procedure, the target structure incorporates one or moreadjustable mountings, such as a sliding track or gimbal. Additionally,the fixture or support structure itself is configured with a set ofrollers for movement across a supporting floor surface in forwardproximity to the vehicle undergoing the measurement, inspection, oralignment service procedure.

A method of the present disclosure facilitates the positioning offixture or support structure having a vertical element supporting a setof cameras associated with a vehicle measurement system together with atleast one target structure required for realignment or recalibration ofonboard vehicle safety system sensors. Initially, with the fixture orsupport structure disposed generally in front of a vehicle undergoingmeasurement, wheel alignment, or inspection, a set of images acquired bythe cameras are conveyed to a processing system for evaluation, fromwhich the relationship between the set of cameras and the observedsurfaces on the vehicle is determined. Using the determinedrelationship, any required changes to the position of the fixture orsupport structure relative to the vehicle which are necessary to placeand align the target structure relative to the onboard vehicle safetysystem sensors are identified. The fixture or support structure is thenmoved as required, either automatically or manually. Optionally, theelevation, lateral position, pitch, yaw, or roll of the target structurerelative to the vertical element of the fixture or support structure isadjusted as required and/or permitted by associated mountings incombination with, or as an alternative to, movement of the fixture orsupport structure itself.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a fixture orsupport structure having a vertical element supporting a set of camerasassociated with a vehicle measurement system, together with at least onegimbaled optical projector disposed to project optical indicia onto afloor surface in proximity to the fixture or support structure forguiding relative placement of vehicle service components. A cameracrossbeam carried by the fixture or support structure locates the set ofcameras in a laterally spaced arrangement, as required to view wheels oneach side of a vehicle undergoing measurement, wheel alignment, orinspection, and is optionally vertically (and/or rotationally)adjustable to accommodate the vehicle disposed at different elevationson an adjustable lift rack. The gimbaled optical projector is carried bythe camera crossbeam structure, and is operatively coupled to aprocessing system configured with software instructions to selectivelycontrol an orientation of the optical projector about one or more axisof rotation, enabling projection of optical indicia onto the floorsurface at selected locations relative to the vehicle or the supportstructure.

The foregoing features, and advantages set forth in the presentdisclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments will become moreapparent from the reading of the following description in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art wheel alignment measurementsystem camera structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure,illustrating a camera support structure configured with a pair of targetstructures;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the camera support structure of FIG. 2disposed in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a measurement, inspection,or wheel alignment service;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the camera support structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the camera support structure of FIG. 2,illustrating tilting adjustments to the camera support boom and targetstructures;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure, illustrating a camera support structure configured with apair of target structures together with a pair of gimbal-mounted opticalprojectors;

FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of a gimbal-mounted opticalprojector of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating opticalindicia projected with the optical projectors of FIG. 6.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that thedrawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the presentdisclosure and are not to scale.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way ofexample and not by way of limitation. The description enables oneskilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describesseveral embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses ofthe present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be thebest mode of carrying out the present disclosure.

Turning to the figures, and to FIG. 2 in particular, a vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation fixture or support structure 100 isshown, having a vertical column 102 supporting a set of laterally spacedcamera modules 104 a, 104 b associated with a vehicle measurementsystem, such as a vehicle wheel alignment or inspection system, togetherwith at least one vehicle calibration assistance structure, consistingof a specialized target structure 400 a, 400 b, and/or an opticalprojector 500, utilized to facilitate a process for realigning orrecalibrating one or more safety system sensors onboard a vehicle 10undergoing a service procedure. The safety system sensors onboard thevehicle 10 may be any type of sensors known in the art for use invehicle safety systems, for example, digital cameras, an imaging sensor,a laser sensor (LIDAR), or a radar sensor. The safety system sensors maybe paired with an emitter, such as a laser emitter, an optical emitter,or a radar emitter to illuminate a field of view which is observed bythe associated safety system sensor.

On the support structure 100, a camera crossbeam 106 carried by thevertical column 102 locates the set of camera modules 104 a, 104 badjacent opposite longitudinal ends, each containing one or more cameras105 with fields of view in a generally forward direction as required toview each lateral side of the vehicle 10 undergoing service. The cameracrossbeam 106 is optionally vertically (and/or rotationally) adjustablerelative to the vertical column 102 to permit adjustments to accommodateelevation changes to the vehicle located on an adjustable lift rack (notshown) in proximity to the support structure 100. Vertical adjustmentsto the camera crossbeam 102 may be by any conventional means, such assliding rails, rod and screw mechanisms, pulley mechanism, etc. Themechanism for vertical adjustments can be manually actuated, or may bedriven by a suitable motor under either operator manual control orautomatic software control. Rotational adjustments of the cameracrossbeam about a longitudinal axis, if provided for, about thelongitudinal axis of the crossbeam may be by any conventional means, andmay be manually actuated, or may be driven by a suitable motor eitherunder manual control of an operator or under automatic software control.As an alternative to rotationally adjusting the camera crossbeam 102,individual camera modules 104 a, 104 b may be optionally configured withsuitable coupling mechanisms to permit multi-axis independent movementas required to achieve desired fields of view with the cameras 105.

It will be recognized that while the embodiments of the vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure illustrated in the Figuresand described above utilize a vertical column 102 and a camera crossbeam106, other configurations of a camera support structure 100 may beutilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, in place of the vertical column 102 and camera crossbeam 106, acamera support structure 100 may consist of a pair of articulated camerasupport arms to position individual cameras in laterally spacedarrangements as required to achieve the fields of view necessary toobserve features or targets associated with a vehicle undergoing a wheelalignment service, measurement, or inspection.

The camera modules 104 a, 104 b are operatively coupled to a processingsystem 300, which may be disposed in an associated console 302 inproximity to the fixture or support structure 100. The processing system300 is configured with suitable logic circuit components and withsoftware instructions for receiving image data from the camera modules104 a, 104 b, evaluating the image data to identify relative spatialpositions of observed surfaces, such as optical targets disposed on thewheels 12 or surfaces of a vehicle 10, and for computing associatedvehicle characteristics, such as wheel alignment angles or vehicle bodyposition. It will be understood that the configuration of the processingsystem 300, camera modules 104 a, 104 b, and console 302 are generallyknown in the art of machine vision vehicle wheel alignment systems, andmay vary from the specific configuration described herein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, so long as the processingsystem 300 is capable of determining at least the spatial position ofone or more observed surfaces associated with the vehicle relative tothe camera modules 104 a, 104 b.

To facilitate alignment and calibration of safety system sensors onboarda vehicle, such as radar, LIDAR or optical sensors, one embodiment ofthe vehicle calibration assistance structure includes at least onetarget structure 400 a and/or 400 b affixed to the camera supportstructure 100, such as to the vertical column 102 or camera crossbeam106, by a multi-axis mounting fixture 402. Each target structure 400 a,400 b includes an observable target face oriented in a generally forwarddirection from the fixture or support structure 100 (i.e., towards thevehicle service area), at an elevation generally suitable forobservation by the safety system sensors onboard the vehicle 10 during arealignment or recalibration procedure. The specific configuration ofthe target structures 400 a, 400 b, such as the target face features, isrelated to, and will vary with, the specific type of safety systemsensor for which it will be used. For example, an optical target 400 ahaving retro-reflective or contrasting target face surface features maybe provided for use with optical safety system sensors such as camerasor LIDAR. Correspondingly, a metallic or radar-reflective target 400 bmay be provided for use with radar-based safety system sensors.Optionally, a laser emitter (not shown) configured for pivotingadjustment about at least one axis may be associated with the targetstructure 400 a, 400 b for use in illuminating a point or line on thevehicle or nearby floor surface to aiding in positioning and/ororienting either the target structure 400 a, 400 b individually, or thecamera support structure 100 itself.

As seen in the various figures, multiple individual target structures ofeither the same or different types, may be secured to the verticalcolumn 102 at different vertical elevations or horizontal separations.

The mounting fixture 402 may be a fixed mount which secures the targetstructures 400 a, 400 b in a fixed position and orientation relative tothe vertical column 102, or optionally, may include suitable multi-axismechanisms for adjusting the lateral position, vertical position, and/ororientation of the target structures 400 a, 400 b over a limited rangerelative to the vertical column 102, such as may be required for safetysystem sensors offset from a vehicle centerline CL or thrust line TLafter the fixture or support structure 100 is disposed generally infront of the vehicle, as seen in FIG. 3. For example, a lateral supporttrack 404 shown in FIGS. 2-5 may be coupled to the mounting fixture 402,parallel to the camera crossbeam 106 to support a target structure forsliding movement, enabling a lateral position of a target structure 400a to be adjusted.

In one embodiment, to facilitate positioning of the fixture or supportstructure 100 generally at the vehicle centerline CL and to enable theset of camera modules 104 a, 104 b to view features on each lateral sideof the vehicle 10, the fixture or support structure 100 is provided inone embodiment with a base structure 108 having a set of rollingelements, such as casters or wheels 109. During use, the fixture orsupport structure 100 is manually rolled into a position at a selecteddistance from the front of the lift rack or support surface on which thevehicle 10 is disposed during the measurement, inspection, or wheelalignment service procedure. Different vehicles may require the fixtureor support structure 100 to be positioned at different locationsrelative to the vehicle. An optional locking mechanism may be providedon at least one of the rolling elements, to prevent accidental movementof the fixture or support structure 100 during use.

Precise position of the fixture or support structure 100 to place thetarget structure 400 in an ideal location for use may optionally becarried out under the guidance of the processing system 300 in responseto data acquired through the processing of images acquired by the cameramodules 104 a, 104 b. For example, with the fixture or support structure100 positioned generally on the centerline CL of a vehicle 10 as seen inFIG. 3, the camera modules 104 a, 104 b can acquires images associatedwith the front and rear wheels 12 on each lateral side of the vehicle,from which the processing system 300 can identify the position of thefixture or support structure relative to either a geometric centerlineCL or a thrust line TL of the vehicle 10. If adjustments to the positionof the fixture or support structure 100 relative to either the vehicle'sgeometric centerline CL or thrust line TL are required, suitableguidance can be provided to the operator by the processing system 300based on the determined relative position of the fixture or supportstructure. The guidance may be in any of a variety of formats, suchnumerical (i.e., 2″ to the left), symbolic (i.e., an indication arrowand/or sliding bar graph), or audible (i.e., a tone or sound when thecorrect position is reached). The guidance may be static guidance, inwhich no updates to the position data are acquired until the fixture orsupport structure is stationary, or alternatively, the guidance may bedynamic, in which the processing system 300 receives images from thecamera modules 104 a, 104 b during movement of the fixture or supportstructure, and provides sequentially updated or “live” instructions tothe operator to aid in precise positioning of the fixture or supportstructure relative to the vehicle 10.

It will be recognized that positioning of the fixture or supportstructure 100 may, in an alternative embodiment, be automated and undercontrol of the processing system 300 via commands to suitable mechanicaldrive mechanisms, such as stepper motors, for driving the rollingelements or other means of machine controlled locomotion.

Positioning of the fixture or support structure 100, if adjustable, maybe along just a single axis which is generally transverse to the vehiclecenterline CL (i.e., from side to side), or may additionally be along asecond axis which is generally parallel to the vehicle centerline CL(i.e., towards or away from the vehicle). A vertical height of the setof the camera modules 104 a, 104 b may optionally be adjusted by raisingor lowering the camera crossbeam 106 along the vertical column 102.

Once the fixture or support structure is positioned at a desiredlocation relative to the vehicle 10, adjustments to the position andorientation of the target structure 400 a, 400 b relative to thevertical column 102 for proper placement within a field of viewassociated with the onboard vehicle safety system sensors can via themounting fixture 402. Suitable adjustment mechanisms within the mountingfixture 402 may include, but are not limited to, ball and socketconnections, pivot arms, and the sliding rail or track 404. With thetarget structure 400 a, 400 b positioned at the desired locationrelative to the vehicle, and more specifically, relative to an onboardvehicle sensor, measurement, alignment, or calibration of the onboardvehicle sensor can proceed as understood in the art, by observing orilluminating the target structure 400 and responding accordingly.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the vehiclecalibration assistance structure includes one or more optical projectors500 operatively coupled to, and under control of, the processing system300, for the projection of visible indicia 501 on to surfaces inproximity to the fixture or support structure, utilized to aid in theplacement or alignment of vehicle service fixtures or targets. Theoptical projectors 500 illustrated in FIG. 6-8 comprise a pair of lasermodules 500 a and 500 b, mounted on a set 502 of motorized gimbalstructures secured to the camera support beam 106. The laser modules 500a, 500 b are disposed in a laterally spaced arrangement, in proximity tothe camera modules 104 a and 104 b, enabling projection of visibleindicia onto surfaces adjacent each lateral side of the vehicle 10located within the vehicle service area, as shown in FIG. 8. As bestseen in FIG. 7, each laser module 500 a, 500 b includes at least onelaser emitter 504 secured to the set 502 of motorized gimbal structuresfor rotational movement about three orthogonal axis (X, Y, Z).Optionally, a second laser emitter 506 is supported by a rotatingelement 508 on the mounting structure 502, for rotation about anadditional axis R, enabling projected indicia to be visually correctedfor parallax distortion resulting from non-orthogonal projectionorientations. The laser emitters 504 and 506 each transmit beams 507 ofvisible light through associated optical focusing elements to projectthe visible indicia in the form of spots or lines, onto the surfaces. Itwill be recognized that the optical projectors 500 may utilized othersources of visible light, such as LED elements, and associated opticalfocusing elements in place of the laser emitters 504, 506 to projectvisible indicia onto the surfaces without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. Furthermore, the specific number of axis aboutwhich the optical projectors 500 are configured for movement may varybased on the intended use of the projected visible indicia. For example,optical projectors 500 intended to project visible indicia at a fixedlocation relative to the fixture or support structure 100 may be mountedin a fixed orientation, while optical projectors such as 500 a and 500 bwhich are intended to project visible indicia relative onto surfaces atlocations relative to an initially indeterminate vehicle location aremounted for rotational movement about multiple axis.

During a vehicle wheel alignment service, measurement, or inspectionprocedure, the processing system 300 is configured to control the set502 of multi-axis gimbal mounting structures, and optional rotatingelement 508, to orient each laser emitter 504, 506 to project theobservable indicia 501 at a selected location on a surface in proximityto the fixture or support structure 100. The observable indicia 501 mayrepresent a stationary point location to aid in the placement of avehicle service fixture, or may represent lines or boundaries againstwhich an elongated planar optical target 600 or other vehicle servicedevice may be aligned. The processing system 300 may optionally controlthe set of multi-axis gimbal mounting structures to impart motion to theprojected indicia, such as to sequentially illuminate two or morediscrete locations on said surface. Indicia other than points or lines,such as alphanumeric symbols, or raster images, may be projected undercontrol of the processing system 300 from suitably configured opticalprojectors 500 within the scope of the present disclosure.

The selected location of the observable indicia 501 on the surface maybe determined by the processing system 300 in response to spatialmeasurements of associated with the vehicle 10 acquired from imagescaptured by the camera modules 104, or may be selected to be relative toa component of the fixture or support structure 100, such as an axis ofthe support column 102. For example, some vehicle safety system sensorcalibration procedures require the placement of target structures,observable by onboard vehicle safety system sensors, at select locationsrelative to the vehicle. Specific placement requirements associated withsafety system calibration procedures for a variety of vehicle makes andmodels may be stored in a database accessible to the processing system300. After determining measurements associated with the relative spatialposition of the vehicle 10 to the fixture or support structure 100, suchas by conventional machine vision vehicle alignment measurementprocedures, the processing system 300 is configured to access theaccessible database to recall the specific placement requirements forvisible targets or calibrations fixtures associated with the vehicle.Utilizing the recalled placement requirements, the processing system 300operates the set 502 of motorized gimbal mounting structures to orientthe optical projectors to project visible indicia at the appropriatelocations on the floor surface of the vehicle service area, enabling anoperator to carry out or complete a vehicle service, calibration, orinspection procedure.

In addition to operating the set of motorized gimbal mounting structuresto orient the optical projectors to project the visible indicia at theselected locations on the floor surface, the processing system 300 maybe further configured to provide for motion stabilization of theprojected visible indicia in response to movement of the fixture orsupport structure 100. Motion stabilization, via control of the set ofmotorized gimbal mounting structures, may be provided by the processingsystem 300 to maintain the projected visible indicia at the selectedlocation during movement of the base 108 across the floor surface, aswell as during vertical movement of the camera crossbeam 106.

The present disclosure can be embodied in-part in the form ofcomputer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing thoseprocesses. The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in theform of computer program code containing instructions embodied intangible media, or another computer readable non-transitory storagemedium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into, andexecuted by, an electronic device such as a computer, micro-processor orlogic circuit, the device becomes an apparatus for practicing thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form ofcomputer program code, for example, whether stored in a non-transitorystorage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, ortransmitted over some transmission medium, wherein, when the computerprogram code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computerbecomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure. Whenimplemented in a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer programcode segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logiccircuits.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1. A system for aligning a floor target relative to a vehicle for calibration of at least one vehicle safety system sensor, comprising: at least one optical projection system, said optical projection system including at least one optical projector having an orientable projection axis; a planar optical target for placement on a floor surface in proximity to said vehicle said planar optical target including a calibration pattern for observation by said at least one vehicle safety system sensor; and wherein said at least one optical projection system is operatively controlled by a processor to orient said projection axis towards a selected location on said floor surface relative to said vehicle, and to illuminate with said optical projector, a point, a line, or a boundary to which said planar optical target is aligned.
 2. The system of claim 1 further including a support structure; a mounting fixture configured to support a target, said mounting fixture secured to a support structure by an adjustment mechanism adapted to move said mounting fixture relative to said support structure; and wherein said at least one optical projection system is secured to said mounting fixture for movement about a plurality of axes to orient said projection axis.
 3. The system of claim 2 further including a pair of laterally spaced camera modules carried on said mounting fixture, each of said camera modules including at least one camera aligned such that an associated field of view is oriented in a forward direction towards a vehicle service area containing said vehicle; and wherein said processor is configured to control said at least one optical projection system responsive to vehicle measurements determined from images of said vehicle captured by at least one of said camera modules.
 4. The system of claim 2 further including a base unit for placement on a floor surface, and wherein said support structure is affixed to said base unit.
 5. The system of claim 1 including first and second optical projection systems in a laterally spaced arrangement to illuminate said floor surface adjacent each lateral side of said vehicle.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one optical projector is a laser emitter.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured with software instructions to recall, from an accessible database, said selected location on said floor surface associated with a make and/or model of said vehicle.
 8. A method for aligning, relative to a vehicle, a planar optical target on a floor surface for calibration of at least one vehicle safety system sensor, comprising: aligning a component of vehicle calibration assistance structure relative to a vehicle disposed in front of said vehicle calibration assistance structure; projecting a visible point, line, or boundary from said component onto said floor surface; and positioning said planar optical target relative to the projected visible point, line, or boundary.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein aligning said component includes orienting a projection axis of an optical projector to intersect a location on said floor surface selected relative to said vehicle.
 10. A system for aligning a planar optical target on a floor surface relative to a vehicle undergoing service for calibration of at least one vehicle safety system sensor, comprising: a base unit for placement on said floor surface; a support structure affixed to said base unit; a pair of laterally spaced optical projection systems carried by a mounting fixture on said support structure, each of said optical projection systems including at least one optical projector having a projection axis orientable about at least one axis; at least one planar optical target separate from said base and said support structure, said at least one planar target including at least a calibration pattern associated with said vehicle undergoing service; and wherein said at least one planar optical target is configured to be aligned with a point of light, line of light, or boundary of light projected by at least one of said optical projection systems to position said at least one planar optical target on said floor surface relative to said vehicle.
 11. The system of claim 10 further including a processor configured with software instructions to control an orientation of said projection axis for each of said optical projection systems, and wherein said processing system is further configured with software instructions to recall, from a database, at least one floor surface position for positioning of said at least one planar optical target on said floor surface relative to said vehicle, said floor surface position associated with a make and/or model of said vehicle.
 12. The system of claim 11 further including a pair of laterally spaced camera modules carried on said mounting fixture, each of said camera modules including at least one camera aligned such that an associated field of view is oriented in a forward direction towards a vehicle service area containing said vehicle; and wherein said processing system is further configured with software instructions to evaluate images of said vehicle acquired by said camera modules to determine a spatial relationship between said vehicle and said optical projection systems for alignment of said projected light on said floor surface relative to said vehicle. 